Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issue related to the special intelligence protection bill
• The issue related to the Air Defense Identification Zone established by China.
• The issue related to Japan-ROK relations

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question about the special intelligence protection bill that was passed in the House of Representatives yesterday. House of Councillors deliberations will commence today, but even still, late last night a civilian group and other organizations held an opposition rally in relation to this bill near the National Diet Building. Similarly, some journalists expressed concern that, given the Government's secretive nature, once the bill is enacted, information that may otherwise hold politicians accountable may be swept under the rug. Could you tell us again how the Government intends to respond to these concerns?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: Firstly, led by a belief that the bill is essential for ensuring the safety of the country and its people in our increasingly severe national security environment, the Government has worked to have this bill enacted as soon as possible and requested cooperation to this end. As you just said, the bill was passed by majority yesterday. Notably, some opposition parties also supported the bill and we are thankful that we have been able to get it passed. On that basis, the various concerns, as you mentioned, have been debated on many occasions. House of Councillors deliberations and other procedures will commence today and we will do our best to thereby dispel public fears and concern on the bill.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question with regard to the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) outlined by China. Yesterday it was announced that the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that two U.S. bombers flew into the zone. First, could you please tell us what information has been reported to the Japanese Government, and also what action the Government plans to take?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: I am aware of the events that you just mentioned, but we are not in a position to comment on the actions of the U.S. or U.S. military. However, in relation to China's establishment of an ADIZ over the East China Sea, Japan and the U.S. have remained in close coordination. On November 26, the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry held a telephone conference on this matter. During the conference, Secretary of State Kerry expressed his recognition that the actions taken by China are an extremely risky attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo in the East China Sea. Secretary of State Kerry also commented that he will continue to support Japan's position. We will continue to cooperate and coordinate closely with the U.S. and the wider international community.

REPORTER: Is that to say that the action by the U.S. military was taken based on coordination between Japan and the U.S.?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO:  It was not a coordinated action as such. Rather I understand that it was simply an action taken at the discretion of the U.S. military, so the Japanese Government is not in a position to comment any further.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question on the same topic. I understand that in relation to the recent flight of the U.S. bombers, you have said that the Government is not in a position to make any comments. However, in principle, does the Government view these actions favorably? What kind of stance is the Government taking on this matter?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: In principle, the Japanese Government has to date refrained from commenting on each individual action taken by the U.S. military, including the recent event.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Today, Yun Byung-se, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK), delivered a speech expressing his intention to improve Japan-ROK relations, saying that while the deterioration of relations is due to Japan's understanding of history, the ROK Government will also make efforts to stabilize Japan-ROK relations. It appears that today's speech has a slightly different tone compared to the hardline stance taken by the ROK Government to date. Could you share with us the Government's thoughts and response to this?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: I am afraid that I cannot comment directly as I have not heard the speech itself. However, Japan and the ROK have, for a long time, maintained dialogue at various levels. In relation to the Japan-ROK Summit meeting that was just mentioned, our stance is that the Prime Minister's door and Japan's door have always been open to such meetings. We will continue to address this issue based on this stance.

REPORTER: This topic was raised in an earlier question, but I believe that in relation to China's establishment of an ADIZ, Japan and the ROK share the same concerns. Does the Japanese Government intend to cooperate with the ROK in addressing this issue?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: Naturally, we will remain in close cooperation with all concerned nations, not just the ROK.

REPORTER: Could I once again ask if the Japanese Government was notified in advance that U.S. bombers would fly into China's ADIZ?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: Japan and the U.S. are always in close coordination in general, not just on this matter, and we have always refrained from commenting on each individual matter.